Rail spike



w, DY

May 25,1926. 1,585,808

w c. WELLBORN RAIL SPIKE Filed April 28, 1925 Patented May 25, 1926.

PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM C. WELI-BORN, OF COLUMBUS, GEORGIA.

RAIL SPIKE.

Application filed April 28, 1825.

This invention relates to railroad spikes, and has for one of its objects the provision of an article of this character which can be readily driven into a tie Without splitting the same and which cannot become loose as the result of the vibration to which the tie is subjected during the passage of a train.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, the invention consists of the constrution, combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter fully described and claimed, and illustrated in the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Figure 1 is a view in side elevation of a railroad spike constructed in accordance with my invention, and

Figure 2 is a View in front elevation of the railroad spike.

The preferred embodiment of the railroad spike is shown in the drawing, and it comprises a body 1, head 2 and penetrating end 3. From the point 4- to the point 5 the front side 6 of the body 1 is angularly related to the rear side 7 thereof, and from the point 5 to the upper end of the inclined front side 8 of the penetrating end 3 the front side 6 is parallel to the plane of the rear side 7. The inclined portion of the front side 6 extends in a downward and forward direction, and due thereto the spike cannot become loose in or work its way out of the tie. The inclined rear side 9 of the penetrating end 3 is longer than the front side 8 thereof and extends in a straight line from a plane coincident with the lower end of the inclined portion of the front side 6 of the body 1 to the point 10 of the spike. As the sides 8 and 9 are of relatively different lengths the spike may be readily driven into the tie.

The spike may be of any desired or required length, and the head 2 may be of any well known formation. .The construction of the body'l and penetrating point 3 are such as to permit the spike to be readily driven into a tie without splitting the same and such,

as to prevent the vibration-to which the tie is subjected from loosening the spike or causing it to work out of the tie. The arrange- Serial No.' 26,409.

ment of thelower portion of the front side 6 in parallel relation to the rear side 7, permit s the spike to be withdrawn from the tie more readily than would be possible if said portion were at an angle to the rear side. The inclined front side 8 of the penetrating end 8, since it is shorter and arranged at a greater angle to the longitudinal axis of the spike than the inclined rear side 9, offers greater resistance than the rear side to the driving of the spike into the tie, wlththeresuit that during the driving of the spike into outwardly and the lower and lesser portion of said side being arranged in parallel relation to the rear side, and the penetrating end having downwardly and inwardly inclined front and rear sides, the front side being ar ranged at a greater angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the spike than the rear side.

3. A railroad spike comprising a body, a penetrating end and a head, the upper and greater portion of the front side of the body being inclined downwardly and outwardly and the lower and lesser portion of said side being arranged in parallel relation to the rear side, and the penetrating end having a front portion inclining downwardly and inwardly from the lower end of said lower portion and a rear side inclining downward-- ly and inwardly from a horizontal plane 00-- incident with the upper end of said lower portion.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

WILLIAM C. WEIJLBORN. 

